Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care is a two-year Associate Degree program, which is accredited by the CoARC (Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care). Upon successful completion, the graduate is eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Examinations. Graduates wishing to continue their education can earn a bachelor's degree.

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Respiratory Care MissionThe mission of the Respiratory Care Program is to provide affordable, high quality education, with an emphasis on career preparation and intellectual development in an environment that is welcoming and supportive. The program is dedicated to the development of appropriate cognitive, psychomotor, and affective competencies in the students such that they may apply scientific understanding, technological skills, and human values within their profession.

Program GoalsTo provide individuals with career preparation associated with Entry-Level and Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Care competencies with consideration of the needs and expectations of the program's communities of interest.

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT’s).

To provide a curriculum that leads to the Associate in Science degree, eligibility for the national credentialing process, entry into the Massachusetts licensure process, and employment in Respiratory Care.

In addition to courses in general education, liberal arts and respiratory theory, carefully selected clinical experiences are provided in area hospitals and health agencies to enable students to develop the skills necessary for successful completion in order to receive credit and progress to the next program level. A minimum grade of 75 must be achieved in all respiratory care courses.

Students contemplating a career in respiratory care must be aware that if they have ever been convicted by a court of law, their records will be subject to review by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Respiratory Care upon application to take the examination for registered respiratory licensure. A C.O.R.I check will be required for all students before clinical experience.

Respiratory Care is an allied health profession dedicated to the management and care of patients having difficulties and abnormalities associated with breathing. Respiratory care practitioners work under the direction of physicians. Improving the cardiopulmonary health of infants, children, and adults make this an excellent profession with multi-variant career possibilities. Employment can be found in the hospital, in home care, sales, and education. Currently there is a shortage of qualified respiratory care practitioners. To be considered for admission to this program, the applicant must: Possess a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate.

This video shows the roles and responsibilities of respiratory care practitioners and interviews with real-life therapists, students, and physicians, and shows the various work settings and types of patients, as well as educational requirements.

Complete Biological Principles or successful performance on Biology Departmental challenge exam as a prerequisite to Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology.

Interview at the College with the Program Director or Admissions Director is recommended.

For graduation from the Respiratory Care Program, a grade of "75'' or better is required for all respiratory care courses.

Respiratory Care News

Respiratory Therapist Named a “Best Job” by U.S. News & World ReportTim Myers, MBA, RRT, FAARC, Associate Executive Director of the AARC, was interviewed by the magazine, which annually ranks the best jobs on the short term horizon. Myers said, “We like to call ourselves the Rodney Dangerfield of healthcare.” He said it's not because we get no respect, but that “people don't know about respiratory therapists. We’re often confused with nurses.”The annual ranking by the magazine lists several health care jobs as good bets for today's workforce.Read full report